by Haruka

Well, this is another fine mess I've gotten myself into, Duo thought as he looked across the room at Ryoga. The only thing separating them was a bed. A big, empty, taunting bed one that Quatre expected to find them ready and waiting on when he returned.
"I have to make one phone call and then we can start having fun," Quatre had said. It was one phone call Duo was hoping would never end.
Especially when he saw Ryoga starting to take his shirt off.
"No need to be in such a hurry," Duo said to the other boy, who looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Master Quatre wants us naked and ready for him. There's no time to spare."
There wasn't much else Duo could say or do without arousing suspicion. He'd practically begged to be Quatre's Pet, after all. Resigned, he unfastened his shirt buttons.
"Is he a good Master to have?" he asked Ryoga.
"He's the best!" Ryoga said, sounding surprised that Duo would ask. "You wanted to be his Pet, wouldn't it have been smarter to find out beforehand?"
Duo laughed. "I'm being lectured on brains by a guy who can't find his way to the bathroom alone?"
Ryoga blinked, then smiled slowly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this."
Duo didn't like that smile. Okay, maybe he'd insulted the guy, but now he was sounding like he would be the aggressor while Duo was the victim. Fat chance! If either of them were going to come out 'on top', it would be Duo. After all, he thought smugly, we're about the same size, and I've got combat experience. Any backtalk and he'd get him in a headlock and make him beg for mercy. His eyes locked with Ryoga's as the two of them removed the last of their clothing. Yes, Duo thought, giving Ryoga a confident smile of his own. This could prove to be fun after all.
Quatre walked into the room and smiled upon seeing the two boys. "There, that didn't take long, did it?" He walked over to Ryoga and smoothed his bangs from his eyes, sliding his hand over his shoulder and down his arm. He then moved behind Duo, who tried not to tense up when he felt fingertips trailing over his back.
"What a beautiful body you have, Duo," Quatre approved. "But I want to see more of it. Lie down."
"Okay!" Duo bounced onto the bed, his head flopping back onto the pillows. Ryoga shook his head.
Quatre laughed warmly. "No, Duo, on your stomach."
"Oh." Duo coloured slightly and started to turn over. Who's bright idea was it for him to come on this assignment, anyway? Oh yeah, it was his ....
Quatre seated himself on the edge of the bed and Duo felt him lean forward a moment before cool hands parted his buttocks.
"Perfection," Quatre said with admiration in his tone. "Unusual for one who claims to have worn out his previous Master."
Duo managed a weak laugh. "Yeah, I guess I'm just one of those guys who recovers quickly each time."
"At least you should be nicely stretched inside." Quatre bent over and held his finger in front of Duo's face. The long-haired boy studied it quizzically what was he supposed to do with that? With a mental shrug, he kissed it.
Ryoga snorted and Quatre gave him a chiding look. "Behave yourself," he cautioned, then patted Duo's rear with his other hand. "Duo, I want you to wet it. Unless you think you're so stretched that you don't need "
Duo practically swallowed Quatre's finger, he took it into his mouth so quickly. He did a thorough job of suckling the finger, hoping to postpone the inevitable as long as he could. All too soon, however, Quatre took back his hand and it disappeared out of Duo's field of vision. He winced. This is going to hurt.
Then he tensed, because it did.
"You're tighter than I thought you'd be," Quatre murmured, a crease furrowing his brow as he attempted to worm his finger into Duo's anus.
I've never been so humiliated in my life, Duo decided, hating not only what was being done to him and the fact that Ryoga was witness to it, but that his own body was starting to betray him with response. The penetrating finger felt _good_ not as good as other parts of Quatre could feel, but better than nothing. How long had it been since he'd had sex? Right, it was during his own seduction training. His trainer had been Tsuzuku, an impossibly lovely young man with a dry wit and fierce loyalty to his three brothers. Duo recalled how nervous he'd been, despite his bravado. Tsuzuku was gentle and patient with him until his elder brother Hajime had joined them to make it a threesome. Then things had gotten decidedly ... vigorous.
A startled gasp was forced out of him as Quatre's probing digit located what it was searching for. Unable to hold back any longer, Duo moved back and forth, relishing the sensations that he'd gone without for way too long. He no longer cared that Ryoga was in the room he was looking for that ultimate release and wasn't about to let some directionally-challenged voyeur stop him.
"There, Ryoga!" Quatre said in delight. "See how responsive he is? Won't you have fun pleasuring him?"
"If that's what would make you happy, Master," Ryoga answered.
"You know it would," Quatre said, and quite suddenly, withdrew his finger.
"HEY!" Duo cried, feeling empty and cheated and royally ticked off. "Get back in there and finish what you started!"
Quatre and Ryoga both blinked in silence, and Duo realized his mistake. "Um ... Master," he added meekly.
Quatre wasn't smiling anymore. "Spirit is a fine thing in a Pet, Duo, but blatant disrespect is another. Raise your bottom."
"Huh?" was Duo's brilliant response.
With a sigh of infinite patience, Quatre put both hands on Duo's hips and pulled upwards so that his neck was practically breaking and his rear end was sticking up in the air. He then gave him a stinging, open-palmed swat.
"OW!" Duo sprang up on his knees, one hand on his bottom.
"There'll be more where that came from if you make any such outbursts again," Quatre warned, then got off the bed and sat down in his easy chair. "Now then, you may proceed, Ryoga."
The other boy grinned. "Yes, Master."
"Proceed to whaAAAT ARE YOU DO MMMPH!" Duo's further protestation was cut off as Ryoga's full weight suddenly hit him from behind, smothering his face in the pillow. By the time he'd managed to turn his head enough to inhale, he was feeling Ryoga's hard penis pressuring his butt cheeks.
Conveniently forgetting that moments ago he'd have paid Quatre to do what Ryoga was trying to do, Duo struggled against it. I can do this! He thought firmly, trying to throw Ryoga off by raising himself up. We're about the same size and build and I've got combat experience ....
His train of thought derailed as Ryoga pushed him down hard with one hand one inhumanly strong hand that next began forcing his thighs apart with ease while the other held him still. A startling memory flashed through Duo's mind that of Nuriko lifting Kei's chair with Kei on it. God help me, this guy has that kind of strength! Duo shot a desperate look toward Quatre, hoping he'd put a stop to this insanity. When he saw the intense fascination in his Master's forest green eyes as he watched the scene unfold, his chances looked worse than ever. Now his only hope would be if Ryoga got lost trying to find his hole.
A sudden, painful stabbing inside him destroyed that idea. Duo clenched his teeth, his eyes shut tight as Ryoga pulled his hips up higher, enabling himself to go in even deeper before he began to thrust. Bright flashes of seering agony burned through Duo's being until he couldn't even form a coherent thought.
Then something changed.
The pain subsided as something stronger took its place, and Duo found himself moving in time with Ryoga's thrusts. What was too deep before suddenly wasn't deep enough, and he pushed backwards so hard that he would have toppled Ryoga over if the other boy hadn't been holding onto him.
It all ended when Ryoga exploded inside him, the warmth of fluid exciting Duo further, causing him to enjoy a release of his own that left him exhausted but satisfied. He barely noticed when Ryoga withdrew, and could have easily gone to sleep if Quatre hadn't startled him by clapping his hands.
"What a _wonderful_ performance!" He beamed. "I'm so proud of my boys!" He bent down and kissed Duo's perspiring cheek, then leaned over to kiss Ryoga as well. "You may both get yourselves cleaned up and then get some well-deserved rest. Now that I know what you're capable of together, I promise there'll be nights to come when you'll be up until dawn!"
Duo eased himself off the bed and tried not to think about what Quatre had said or what just happened. Because he had a feeling he wouldn't like how he felt once he finally did.

Pulse rolled over in his bed, knowing morning had come but not wanting to get up yet. This would be the last day at Seigi headquarters before joining the others on the ship. He was prepared of that he was certain. He wasn't so sure about Signal and Chihaya. His would-be mate, on the other hand ....
"Nuriko," he said thoughtfully.
The blankets shifted and a pretty, smiling face appeared only inches from his own. "You called, darling?"
"AAUUGGHHH!" Pulse yelled, barely managing to keep himself in the bed, which considering his state of undress, was a must. He glared at Nuriko accusingly. "What are you DOING here?!"
"We'll be sharing a bed on the cruise, it's best we get used to it now." Nuriko smiled. Pulse stole a suspicious glance below Nuriko's neck and was relieved to see that he, at least, was clothed. The simple white nightshirt enhanced Nuriko's beauty by not competing with it. The Seishi's thick, purple tresses were unbound, charmingly mussed by a night of sleep. Pulse had to admit, it _was_ a good idea for them to act like a mated couple as often as possible, so he decided to forgive Nuriko for invading his private bedchamber.
"I have to dress," he said.
"Yes, you do," Nuriko agreed as he got out of bed and began brushing his hair. "You can't go around like that all day."
Pulse had the beginnings of a response in mind when his gaze fell to Nuriko's creamy thighs just below the hem of his nightshirt. As he lifted his arm to brush his hair, one side of the shirt would ride up, and the slightest hint of butt cheek could be glimpsed.
"Pulse?"
The robot looked up at Nuriko's amused expression.
"You might get dressed faster if you reached for your clothes."
"Right." Pulse turned toward his clothes, carefully laid over a nearby chair. Unfortunately, he could already tell it wasn't near enough. He glanced over at Nuriko, but he had returned to his hair- brushing at the mirror. Pulse braced one foot on the floor and held onto the headboard as he stretched, reaching for his clothes. His fingertips barely brushed them they were just out of reach.
Nuriko continued brushing his hair and tried not to smile as he watched Pulse's dilemma unfold in the mirror. Just as he was wondering if Pulse would finally ask him to leave, the robot moved up off the bed, snatched his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom with them. Nuriko giggled. If he'd had any questions before about how anatomically correct Pulse had been built, he didn't any longer!
The bedroom door burst open then and Signal charged in. "Hey, Pulse! You want " He skidded to a stop. "Nuriko-sensei? What are you doing here?"
Nuriko smiled. "Why, where else would a mate be at this hour but in the bedroom with his husband?" He opened his arms. "Now come give your mother a hug."
Signal blinked. "Uh, okay." He went over and allowed Nuriko to pull him into a bone-crushing embrace. "Nuri um Mama, you're breaking me."
"Well, MIRA is regenerating, right?" Nuriko mussed Signal's hair cheerfully as Chihaya bounced into the room.
"Mama!" he cried happily and gave the Seishi a warm hug. "May I have my allowance?"
"That's the idea, Chihaya!" Nuriko laughed. "See, Signal? He's gotten into character just fine!"
"I was serious," Chihaya pouted.
Pulse came out of the bathroom and frowned. "What are _they_ doing here?"
"Our children came to bid us good morning, love." Nuriko smiled.
"'Love'?" Signal repeated.
"That's not why _I_ came." Chihaya sighed.
Fish Eye poked his head into the room. "The door was open. Is it okay to come in?"
"May as well, everyone else has," Pulse retorted.
"Is something up, Fishie?" Nuriko asked.
"No, just letting everyone know breakfast is ready," Fish Eye said, a preoccupied look on his pretty face.
"Something _is_ wrong," Nuriko said, studying him.
Fish Eye looked in his direction and smiled. "Oh, I'm okay. It's just ... have you ever had the feeling you'd forgotten something very important? It's been nagging at me since yesterday morning and I just can't remember what it is."
"It can't be that important or you _would_ remember it," Chihaya reasoned.
Fish Eye sighed. "I hope you're right."

"Turn around, let me look at you."
"Yes, Master," Kurama said agreeably and turned to model the outfit Hiei had chosen for him. A black leather vest and skin-tight shorts, with a matching collar that encircled his throat. His vibrant red hair was tied back from his beautiful face with another thin strip of black leather. In his hand was a chain-link leash, one end of which was hooked to his collar. Hiei nodded approval and put his hand over Kurama's, taking possession of the leash from him.
"You look good," he admitted. Kurama smiled, for to him the simple statement had volumes written between the lines.
"According to this schedule," Hiei picked up the paper on the desk, changing the subject, "there are three hours of Pet 'Free Time' after breakfast, from nine to noon."
Kurama looked over his shoulder at the paper. "Yes, Fish Eye said that a Master may or may not allow their Pets to _have_ the Free Time, or they may limit it. But if a Pet is allowed to go on Free Time, they have free run of their Community's area of the ship, and no other Master can force them into anything they don't want to do."
"It sounds like a good opportunity for you to mingle with the other Pets and learn a few things." Hiei frowned.
Kurama smiled and slipped his arms around his fire demon from behind. "I'll be careful."
"You'd better be," Hiei replied, but not as sharply as he could have. "In the meantime, let's go to breakfast." He wrapped the leash around his fist and led Kurama out the door, nearly colliding with Sesshomaru.
The elegant blonde demon raised an eyebrow in disdain. "You'd best watch where you're going. Someone might step on you."
Hiei looked at him impassively. "I suppose someone might, if they wanted to die."
Sesshomaru's cat-slit eyes narrowed and he turned to leave abruptly, his long hair swiping across the face of his brother, who had been studying Kurama suspiciously.
"Hurry up, Inu Yasha!" the elder of the pair said, stalking away down the corridor. Inu Yasha cast Kurama one more glance before following.
"What was that about?" Hiei murmured.
"He was sniffing the air," Kurama whispered. "It may sound strange, but I think he could smell Youko."
"Well, he's part dog, and Youko's a fox," Hiei said thoughtfully. "Kid must have a damned good nose."
"Hi there! Hiei, right?"
They both turned to see Rascal approaching, whip coiled in one hand, his Pet nowhere in sight.
"Yeah, I'm Hiei," he answered. "Where's your Pet? The one who manhandled Kurama?"
"Maze is right behind me." Rascal looked over his shoulder. "Maze! Come on, don't dawdle! You know I don't like cold waffles!" He cracked the whip for emphasis.
"Coming, Master!"
Hiei and Kurama exchanged startled looks at the feminine voice that preceeded the even more feminine body that came running around the corner. A lovely young girl with long black hair wearing jeans and a simple shirt jogged up to them.
"I'm so sorry, Master! I was following you when Mistress Scarlet stopped me to ask a question."
"In that case I suppose I'll spare you, but remember in the future that it's more important you please me than Mistress Scarlet or anyone else," Rascal said firmly, then reconsidered, "except Master Quatre."
"Where's the other one?" Hiei asked brusquely.
"The other what?" Rascal asked.
"This isn't the Maze who groped Kurama!"
"Well, yes and no." Rascal grinned. "This is Maze during daylight hours. At sunset, she transforms into the young man you met last night. Her entire personality alters, as well." He put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "_This_ Maze is well-behaved and polite. She won't touch Kurama anywhere without your say-so."
"Which she'll never have," Hiei retorted. "We're going to breakfast, come on, Kurama." He gave a slight jerk on the leash and Kurama hastened to follow him. Rascal fell into step beside Hiei with Maze bringing up the rear.
"I guess what Xelloss told me is true you don't loan your Pet," Rascal ventured.
"Never have, don't plan to."
"You might reconsider on this cruise. There are a _lot_ of beautiful Pets here that you may want to play with." Rascal glanced over at Kurama. "Although yours is more beautiful than most. I _like_ what you dressed him in today."
"Looking's free," Hiei replied. "Touching brings pain."
They arrived to find the dining area filling steadily. It was when they took their seats that Hiei saw Xelloss come in with Soujirou only something was wrong. Soujirou was in the lead, while Xelloss followed meekly behind him.
"Good morning, gentlemen!" Soujirou greeted them, smiling like usual. "Hiei, Kurama looks so cute in that outfit!"
Hiei gave him a warning glance. "It's Master Hiei to you."
"No, not today I'm afraid," Soujirou said cheerfully and patted Xelloss' head. "Our table's ready, I see, so we'll talk to you later! Come, Xelloss."
"Yes, Master," the purple-haired boy answered and followed Soujirou as he walked away.
Hiei looked at Rascal. "Yesterday _Xelloss_ was the Master. What's going on?"
"They're a couple who enjoy the Master/Pet lifestyle." Rascal shrugged. "They couldn't make up their minds who would take which role, so every day they switch places."
"That's stupid," Hiei stated frankly.
"It works for them," Rascal said. "Master Quatre approved it, so long as there are no exceptions. So when one is the Pet, he is _completely_ the Pet and subject to anything other Pets are subject to. Same thing when one is the Master. They can sit in on Masters' meetings and confer privately with Master Quatre even make arrangements to share their Pet. But the next day, the other one will still be Master."
"And I thought your girl-by-day, boy-by-night was weird," Hiei told him. Kurama giggled from where he knelt beside him.
Maze tugged on Rascal's shirt urgently. "Master, he's returned!"
Rascal looked toward the entrance and the one eye not covered by hair widened. "Twice in two days? Perhaps it's the start of a trend."
Hiei watched Nakago stride into the dining area with Van at his heel. Some people attempted feeble greetings, while others pretended they didn't notice him. He knew Van was already aware of at least some of his fellow agents' presence, having seen him with Duo the night before. So far, at least, Nakago didn't seem to suspect anything. The two of them were heading in their direction, about to pass by, when Nakago paused, studying something at his feet. Hiei's fire demon blood ran cold when he realized it was Kurama.
"Look at me, boy," Nakago commanded. Hiei bristled, but wasn't sure if he should intervene or not. He decided against it so long as Nakago kept his hands to himself.
Kurama slowly raised his head to meet Nakago's ice blue eyes with his luminous green pair. The tall blonde smiled unpleasantly.
"An exquisite beauty," he remarked. "What's his name?"
"Why should I tell you when you haven't even introduced _yourself_ yet?" Hiei retorted. Nakago looked at him, his smile growing even more unpleasant.
"I am Nakago." He stood aside to wave a hand toward Van. "This is my Pet, Van."
"I'm Hiei. That's Kurama."
"Kurama," Nakago repeated, as if it were flavoured butterscotch and he was savouring it on his tongue. His gaze turned from the redhaired Pet to Hiei. "Do you loan him?"
"No," Hiei replied.
"I can understand that, as I have yet to loan my own Pet to anyone," Nakago said, his eyes falling to Kurama once more. "However, I _might_ consider a trade for one night ... if _you_ will."
NO! Hiei screamed inside. No one touches Kurama, least of all a sadistic bastard like you! But he could see the hope in Van's eyes and he knew that if he didn't take Nakago up on this offer, he'd never make one like it again. He glanced down at Kurama just as his lover looked up to meet his eyes. The kitsune _wanted_ him to accept.
"Well?" Nakago pressed.
Hiei dug his fingernails into his palms. "All right," he said through gritted teeth.

End of Chapter 10

Story contents (C) 1998 Tenou Haruka

Character copyrights are too many to mention, just know that none of them are mine.